Jose Mourinho praises Istvan Kovacs ahead of Real Madrid clash with RB Leipzig

Source reporting: 20 October 2026. Added to ScoreTransfer on the publication date shown above.

Istvan Kovacs is set to officiate the UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid and RB Leipzig. The game is scheduled for Wednesday at 22:00. This appointment places the Romanian referee at the center of a high-profile European fixture.

Jose Mourinho offered strong support for Kovacs ahead of the match. The former coach described the referee as incredibly talented. Mourinho stated that VAR would not need to intervene in Kovacs' decisions during the game. This praise highlights confidence in the official's ability to manage the match without technological assistance.

The positive assessment from Mourinho contrasts with recent comments from Adrian Porumboiu. Porumboiu ironically requested five VAR cameras for Kovacs. He claimed that the referee cannot make correct decisions without such extensive video support. This remark suggests a lack of faith in Kovacs' on-field judgment compared to Mourinho's view.

Porumboiu also commented on the hierarchy of Romanian officiating. He stated that Marian Barbu is currently the number one referee in Romania. This comment positions Barbu above Kovacs in Porumboiu's estimation of domestic refereeing standards.

RB Leipzig enters this match with three points in the Champions League. The German side previously suffered a heavy 1-6 defeat to Bayern Munich. Despite that loss, they have secured points in the competition. Real Madrid will look to capitalize on their home advantage against a team seeking to improve its standing.